The United Nations Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities–which last week adopted a report upholding the right of everyone to leave any country, including his own–today started consideration of a draft declaration on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.
Originally, the Subcommission was to discuss not only racial but also religious discrimination. However, under pressure from delegations from a number of under-developed countries that are primarily interested in elimination of racial discrimination, the problem of racial bias was taken up as a separate item, with the problem of religious discrimination to follow.
The Soviet delegation also favored such separation because it expects strong charges against the Soviet treatment of Jews and hopes that the issue of religious discrimination would not reach the Subcommission at its present session, which must conclude on February 1. Jewish organizations have prepared data on the suppression of Jewish religion in the Soviet Union and other forms of anti-Jewish discrimination practiced in the USSR for argumentation at the Subcommission if the subject of religious discrimination is taken up.
ITALY, FRANCE, CHILE AND POLAND PRESENT JOINT RECOMMENDATION
The draft declaration on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination which, the 12-member Subcommission took up this morning, was proposed Jointly by representatives of Italy, France, Chile and Poland. It is composed of the following articles:
"1. Any theory of differentation between races or racial superiority is scientifically false, morally reprehensible, socially unjust and dangerous. Nothing can Justify racial discrimination, in theory or in practice.
"2. Racial discrimination, in whatever form and irrespective of the individuals or groups against whom it is directed, is an offense against human dignity, a flagrant violation of the charter, of the United Nations and a denial of the fundamental human rights proclaimed by the Universal Declaration.
"3. Racial discrimination is a negation of the social nature of man, who can develop his personality to the full only through communication with all his fellow men. Refusal to recognize these bonds linking all men is detrimental to the harmonious development of every national community and may lead to its disintegration.
"4. Racial discrimination tends to Jeopardize international peace and security, friendly relations among peoples and cooperation between nations.
"5. Everyone, without distinction as to race, color or ethnic origin, has the right to take part in the government of his country and to participate in elections by universal and equal suffrage. Appointment to the public service shall be open to all citizens on the basis of merit.
"6. Everyone has the right to education, without distinction, exclusion, limitation, preference or segregation based on race, color, or ethnic origin, since the purpose of education should be the formation of a harmonious society based on full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
"7. Everyone, without distinction as to race, color or ethnic origin, has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to favorable and Just conditions of work, remuneration and promotion, and to social welfare and social security.
"8. Everyone shall have equal access to any place or facility intended for use by the general public, without distinction as to race, color or ethnic origin, and no such distinction shall be enforced, permitted, encouraged or perpetuated by any organ of society.
U. S. REPRESENTATIVE PRESENTS SEPARATE DRAFT DECLARATION
Morris B. Abram, representative of the United States, submitted a second draft declaration. Emphasizing the desire of the U.S. "to give effect to the principle of equality of all men and all peoples without distinction as to race, color, or religion," as stated
"1. No state shall make any distinction in the treatment of persons on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, nor shall it make any distinction in the right to citizenship on such grounds.
"2. Everyone shall have equal access to any place or facility intended for use by the general public, without distinction as to race or ethnic origin, and no such distinction shall be enforced, encouraged, perpetuated or permitted by any agency of any state.
"3. Everyone, without distinction as to race or ethnic origin, shall have the right to take part in the government of his country and to participate in elections through universal and equal suffrage. Appointment to the public service shall be open to all citizens, on the basis of merit.
"4. Everyone has the right to an effective remedy, through independent and impartial tribunals, for any discrimination he may suffer on the grounds of race, or ethnic origin with respect to his fundamental rights and freedoms."
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
